Our hotels in Corfu

In this magical haven, time stands still and beauty charms you. Unwind in a spellbinding world of ancient temples, wooded hills, idyllic coves and sublime beaches. Whether you come to Corfu for a family holiday, a romantic getaway or rambling adventures, you'll find plenty of things to do and places to visit on the island, whatever your tastes. Any trip to Corfu leaves you with a wealth of fond memories – and the hospitality of the Greeks is legendary, ensuring your break in paradise unfolds perfectly. When considering the best hotel for your stay in Corfu, Greece, look no further than Accor's sumptuous sanctuary on the island's east coast. This exquisite resort overlooks the shimmering sea from a coastal hill and offers a full range of first-class amenities as well as a private beach – your perfect spot for relaxing in bliss.

If you're coming to Corfu for sun, sea and sand, you'll be delighted – the island's coast is peppered with unrivalled beaches. In fact, it's hard to pick the best beaches from the overwhelming variety of magnificent golden crescents dotted all around Corfu. For an upmarket bay, head to the island's north-east corner, where the splendid Barbati Beachawaits you. Its flat, smooth pebbles are surprisingly comfortable to walk on. This long beach offers rows of loungers and parasols – and on the horizon, you can see Albania, while behind Barbati, vertiginous forested slopes stretch spectacularly upwards. A little further north-east, you reach the scenic Kalami Beach, another pebbled bay nestled in lush landscape, and known for the snorkelling in its crystal-clear waters. Both Barbati and Kalami have been awarded the Blue Flag certificate for beach cleanliness and organisation. To see a unique coastal formation, head to Porto Timoni Beach on Corfu's north-west coast and admire this remarkable double inlet – a narrow strip of land separates two pebbly coves of shallow turquoise water at the foot of towering green hills. You won't forget this spot, an unspoiled, one-of-a-kind landmark sculpted by nature against a dreamy backdrop. And the hidden gems of Corfu's shoreline don't stop there – be sure to go up to the north coast to relax beside another impressive rock formation nature has carved over time: the Canal d'Amour. This beach's name literally means the 'Channel of Love' and the spot lives up to its romantic name – a slender sea channel of crystalline blue-green waters, flanked by two steep rocky spits, leads up to a sheltered sandy cove. Another way to make the most of Corfu's glistening sea is to take a boat trip. Plenty of boat tour agencies offer day cruises for you to discover the extraordinary coastline's secret nooks from the comfort of a yacht. Yet the natural beauty of Corfu isn't limited to its shores. You can enjoy some of the best visits on an inland road trip. Drive up twisting lanes to the 906-metre-high peak of Mount Pantokrator – Corfu's highest mountain, rising up in the north-east of the island. From the summit, you can gaze in wonder at the whole of the island and, across the sea, spot Albania – and even Italy on the clearest days. The more adventurous souls will be pleased to know Corfu is a haven for hiking too. The island's network of walking trails will take you over breathtaking, rugged hills past olive groves and old, remote churches.

Corfu's history is as captivating as its countryside. Corfu Town bears the hallmarks of one of the island's most glorious periods – Venetian rule, tokens of which are widespread in local architecture. From 1386 to 1797, Corfu belonged to the Republic of Venice, making the island one of Europe's most fortified sites and the continent's bulwark against the Ottoman Empire, whose many attacks against it failed. For a taste of this era, visit the town's Old Fortress, built in the 15th century and standing majestically atop a rocky peninsula jutting out on a headland. From this mighty monument, enjoy wonderful panoramas of the Ionian Sea. Back down in Corfu Town, be sure to take in every detail of its historic core – so precious it's been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take an enchanting stroll through narrow streets and quaint squares, or even better go on one of Corfu's best walking tours – a private amble through the age-old town with a guide leading you on a journey through the centuries of intriguing relics. For more traces of antiquity, head to the ruins of ancient Greek temples in the south of Corfu Town and marvel at the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the Temple of Hera and Kardaki Temple, all over 2,500 years old and icons of this immemorial island. Another architectural gem stands 10 kilometres south of Corfu Town – the impressive neoclassical Achilleion Palace and its statue-filled gardens. In the late 19th century, Empress Sissi of Austria ordered the construction of this outstanding edifice and splendid estate as her private refuge and filled its lush gardens with statues of figures from Greek mythology. If you're in Corfu on a family holiday with children, the little ones will doubtless want to let off steam – what better way to delight them than a day out at Aqualand, a giant water park and adrenaline-pumping Corfu attraction? And it's not just for kids, adults will also have endless fun at this outdoor complex with countless flumes, water slides and wave pools.

Corfu's traditional cuisine is varied and mouth-watering. Typical meat dishes include the emblematic sofrito, a tasty dish consisting of thinly sliced veal fried in a white-wine sauce with garlic and parsley. Another of the island's flagship meat dishes, reflecting bygone Italian influence, is the flavoursome pastitsada – veal, beef or poultry cooked with fresh tomatoes, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves, garlic and white wine. Unsurprisingly, seafood also features heavily on the menus of this Mediterranean island. Relish the spicy dish savoro – fried fish in a sauce of bay leaves, raisins, garlic and rosemary, and if you'd prefer a vegetarian option, savour a plateful of delicious tsigareli – spinach, sorrel or cabbage cooked with onions, garlic, spicy red pepper and fresh tomatoes. As regards drinks, don't leave Corfu without having sipped the island's iconic sweet nectar – kumquat liqueur. Corfu's trademark tipple is made from this tiny orange fruit, first introduced on the island in the 19th century and now one of its main agricultural products.

For your exclusive accommodation, we offer a sublime beachfront hotel on Corfu's east coast – a 5-star luxury resort and spa nestled on a hill that looks out over the scintillating Benitses Bay. This charming Corfu hotel provides you with a palatial base from which you can leisurely explore the island. Its wide range of premium amenities includes fine restaurants, wellness facilities and a heavenly infinity pool that blends seamlessly with the azure sea and sky. This splendid hotel is made up of lavish rooms, suites and villas, and is handily located just south of the island's capital, only a 20-minute drive from Corfu airport and a 25-minute drive from Corfu ferry port.

You can fly directly to Corfu International Airport from most sizable northern European cities, including London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Berlin, or from Athens if you fancy visiting the Greek capital too, although there's no ferry connecting Athens straight to the island. Ferries to Corfu from mainland Greece leave from Igoumenitsa, a port city on the country's north-west coast. You can also take a direct ferry to Corfu from the Albanian port city of Sarandë or from the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi.